SWR outgoing Metro fleet withdrawals (complete)

[Goldfish62]

The Southern 455s did feel life expired with a worn out interior and weak-sounding motors. The SWR 455 motors howl like mad, even during regenerative braking.

When SWT initiated the retractioning program they stated that it was intended to give about another 10 years life to the 455s. That 10 years is nearly up...

 

[HamworthyGoods]

When SWT initiated the retractioning program they stated that it was intended to give about another 10 years life to the 455s. That 10 years is nearly up...

I’m sure sone engineering experts will better be available to advise but I don’t think anything much else than the traction equipment was touched at that time?

 

[WarrenTManager]

I’m sure sone engineering experts will better be available to advise but I don’t think anything much else than the traction equipment was touched at that time?

The brake control systems and WSP were changed to the predecessor of Knorr-Bremse's EP2002 system which name escapes me. Essentially the same as Juniper, Desiro Classic and Electrostar. It standardised the fleet as some were using D&M brake chests and others were Westinghouse. It improved the brakes from what drivers told me and replaced the tired and troublesome WSP Racks fitted. EP2002 is fitted to 701/707 and their relatives amongst many other fleets across the world.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Jul 2023 ==

But at the same time, at least three (might actually be four) have gone to be refurbished.

Three.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Jul 2023 ==

One a week from the end of August is my understanding, which ties into the September LTP change.

They go in pairs, so fortnightly.

 

[boiledbeans2]

It improved the brakes from what drivers told me and replaced the tired and troublesome WSP Racks fitted.

As a passenger, I feel that the SWR drivers are quite confident with the brakes of the 455s.

There was another thread on RailUK some time ago, which discussed how some drivers (especially SouthEastern if I recall) apply the brakes gently and rather early, creeping into the station.

In contrast, for the SWR 455s, the drivers seem to enter the station at high speed and slam on the brakes, creating very loud motor (or gearbox) regenerative braking sounds.

An example is at Clapham Junction, when standing on the overbridge, you can easily identify an SWR 455 approaching the station just by listening.

 

[moley]

Another two 450s become available once the repaints finish in September. 444 repaints must be due to finish in October. A little juggling but helps with overall availability.

 

[Juniper Driver]

What's the news on 707's may I ask?
Not sure how many units SWR have left and are some of them leaving from this month?

I missed the 456s going what I mean is I didn't know which was the last 456 I worked, so I want to keep an eye on 707's this time.
The first 707 I drove was 707010…I drove 707019 and 707018 today.

 

[WarrenTManager]

14 and 23 are being demobilised now for transfer. That leaves 10 units when they go.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

14 and 23 are being demobilised now for transfer. That leaves 10 units when they go.

Had a pair on Shepperton duty on a warm day last week. Was ahead of schedule at most stations and tidy station duties by the guard. We could have had 90 of these providing a reliable service at far less cost than the 701 debacle.

 

[Juniper Driver]

14 and 23 are being demobilised now for transfer. That leaves 10 units when they go.

Thanks for the information, Warren.

 

[7031]

Had a pair on Shepperton duty on a warm day last week. Was ahead of schedule at most stations and tidy station duties by the guard. We could have had 90 of these providing a reliable service at far less cost than the 701 debacle.

Indeed but they're made by Siemens and of course the DfT needed an excuse to throw a large order to Bombardier to keep the lot in Derby going...

 

[Techniquest]

14 and 23 are being demobilised now for transfer. That leaves 10 units when they go.

I first read that as demolished, I was wondering what on Earth had happened

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I first read that as demolished, I was wondering what on Earth had happened

You're not the only one, I can tell you.

 

[Snow1964]

14 and 23 are being demobilised now for transfer. That leaves 10 units when they go.

The real fun will come in late September through to early December when SWR commuter services tend to be seasonally at their busiest.

Apart from few pairs of 458s if the remaining 707s leave, not going to be able to operate many 10car services until the 701s belatedly enter service.

 

[Juniper Driver]

Had a pair on Shepperton duty on a warm day last week. Was ahead of schedule at most stations and tidy station duties by the guard. We could have had 90 of these providing a reliable service at far less cost than the 701 debacle.

Don't get on them as much now since they took some off of the Sheppy Road.

 

[Techniquest]

You're not the only one, I can tell you.

Oh good, I have to say I was considering booking myself in for a sight test

While I'm here, can I seek confirmation that the following 455s are still in active service? Or at the least not awaiting scrapping? They are:

455716, 455721, 455732, 455734, 455737, 455868 and 455869.

Thanks in advance

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Oh good, I have to say I was considering booking myself in for a sight test

While I'm here, can I seek confirmation that the following 455s are still in active service? Or at the least not awaiting scrapping? They are:

455716, 455721, 455732, 455734, 455737, 455868 and 455869.

Thanks in advance

I had 455 737 on 5th August from Clapham Junction to Epsom.

 

[The_Train]

Oh good, I have to say I was considering booking myself in for a sight test

While I'm here, can I seek confirmation that the following 455s are still in active service? Or at the least not awaiting scrapping? They are:

455716, 455721, 455732, 455734, 455737, 455868 and 455869.

Thanks in advance

Hi mate, I saw 5716 whilst down that way last week so that is definitely still in service! No luck with the others, I'm afraid

 

[WarrenTManager]

455716, 455721, 455732, 455734, 455737, 455868 and 455869.

5716 in service
5721 at Bournemouth for C4
5732 in service
5734 needs C4 awaiting space at BM
5737 in service
5868 in service
5869 needs C4 awaiting space at BM

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Aug 2023 ==

5905 is now status ok. Don’t think it will be doing anything adventurous until it proves itself to be trusted!

 

[Juniper Driver]

Just got news 707 withdrawal begins on 19th August till 28th October 2023.
Funnily enough I've got some working on them this week.

 

[Snow1964]

Just got news 707 withdrawal begins on 19th August till 28th October 2023.
Funnily enough I've got some working on them this week.

Can someone remind me, is it about dozen 5car units, so looking at around 60 coaches less once gone, until 701s start

 

[HamworthyGoods]

Can someone remind me, is it about dozen 5car units, so looking at around 60 coaches less once gone, until 701s start

There is currently slack in the 458 fleet which was only around 60% availability required. This availability will be increased to cover the shortfall. Yes there will be less vehicles in the fleet but on a day to day basis this should cause no issues.

 

[37166]

455905 is back!

Realtime Trains | 2D47 1654 London Waterloo to Guildford | 14/08/2023

Real-time train running information for 2D47 1654 departure from London Waterloo to Guildford on 14/08/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[swr444]

455905 is back!

Realtime Trains | 2D47 1654 London Waterloo to Guildford | 14/08/2023

Real-time train running information for 2D47 1654 departure from London Waterloo to Guildford on 14/08/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Very satisfying that it’s with 5904!

 

[Andy1673]

Can someone remind me, is it about dozen 5car units, so looking at around 60 coaches less once gone, until 701s start

Today is the first day with only 8 707s (in pairs) booked. 707014 and 023 are going to be sent to Southeastern soon.
One pair of 458s instead of

 

[Techniquest]

5716 in service
5721 at Bournemouth for C4
5732 in service
5734 needs C4 awaiting space at BM
5737 in service
5868 in service
5869 needs C4 awaiting space at BM

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Aug 2023 ==

5905 is now status ok. Don’t think it will be doing anything adventurous until it proves itself to be trusted!

Thank you That's good to know that, except for 455855 and a lot of the Southern 455s, I've not missed the remaining ones yet

 

[swr444]

A mixture of 458/5s and 455s will be replacing the 707s, with a full removal from the LTPs come September 11th. All 707s will have gone by mid/late October

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

A mixture of 458/5s and 455s will be replacing the 707s, with a full removal from the LTPs come September 11th. All 707s will have gone by mid/late October

Just as well those clapped out 455s are still ably performing !!

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Just as well those clapped out 455s are still ably performing !!

Oh for goodness’ sake

 

[jnjkerbin]

Noticed a pair of SWR liveried 707s in Grove Park Down CHS this morning, I assume they must be the aforementioned 707014 and 023. Is it just this pair that are transferring across for now, or are more on the way imminently?

EDIT: Sorry, just saw the posts on the previous page

 

[Snow1964]

A mixture of 458/5s and 455s will be replacing the 707s, with a full removal from the LTPs come September 11th. All 707s will have gone by mid/late October

I guess that another advantage of removing the 707s is few more sidings available for 701s.

Historically late September to early December was always busiest time of year for SW London commuting, as fewest seem to take their holidays then. Wonder if this policy of thinning the fleet at busiest time of year will turn out to a bad outcome. Remember SWR was the operator that promised thousands of extra peak seats into Waterloo, instead vehicle km is down by about 22%